After killing the two disciples of Tianhuan Pavilion, Jiang Hao consolidated his cultivation, utilizing all his energy and blood essence.
Looking at his current state, killing them now would have been far easier.
During his final month in the Demonic Cave, he encountered fewer demonic beings, so his blood essence and cultivation hadn’t been replenished much.
The biggest gain from this mission was reaching the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment. It also meant he could enjoy a short period of stability.
As long as he stayed in this area, he believed he could rapidly grow stronger.
This confidence stemmed from the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower.
Gazing at the flower with its two tender leaves, Jiang Hao couldn’t help but sigh. It was both a blessing and a potential source of immense danger.
He just didn’t know when that danger would strike.
After staring at the flower for a while, Jiang Hao began to assess his weaknesses.
In terms of defense, his armor had been invaluable, so he wasn’t lacking there for the time being.
However, he had no high-level spells or offensive artifacts.
The Demonic Sound Slash was decent, but his master might not teach him anything better.
After all, he was merely an inner disciple.
He needed to find a way to acquire something more powerful.
As for artifacts, a blade seemed to suit him best. But buying another one meant getting a Gold Core-level weapon, which would cost an astronomical amount of spirit stones—far beyond what he currently had.
Once again, he lamented his poverty.
He decided to continue making talismans to earn money in the meantime.
Seven days after returning from the Demonic Cave, Liu Xingchen visited Jiang Hao to deliver his reward: 300 spirit stones.
At the same time, Liu Xingchen brought up the absence of the Tianhuan Pavilion disciples and asked Jiang Hao a few questions.
“It’s just a routine inquiry. Please answer truthfully so we can give Tianhuan Pavilion a proper explanation,” Liu Xingchen said calmly.
“Please go ahead, Senior Brother.” Jiang Hao remained composed.
“Tell me about your time in the Demonic Cave,” Liu Xingchen asked casually as he stood in Jiang Hao’s courtyard.
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“At first, I acted alongside several senior brothers and sisters. About a month later, we decided to split up to more efficiently deal with the demonic beings.
Since then, I’ve been hunting them on my own and didn’t engage in any other activities,” Jiang Hao explained.
“Did you encounter the two from Tianhuan Pavilion during that time?” Liu Xingchen asked, looking directly at him.
Jiang Hao shook his head and elaborated, “I was deliberately avoiding them, so I never crossed paths with them.”
“Fair enough,” Liu Xingchen nodded before smiling. “That’s all I needed to ask.
Tianhuan Pavilion may suspect you, but without evidence, they won’t act rashly.
In the meantime, you can cultivate in peace here at the Severing Emotion Cliff. Farewell.”
With that, Liu Xingchen left.
As Jiang Hao saw him off, he used his ability to appraise Liu Xingchen once again:
[Liu Xingchen: True disciple of the Haotian Sect. Born with Dragon Fiend energy. Gold Core pinnacle cultivation. Undercover in Tianyin Sect’s Enforcement Hall out of boredom. Befriends you to get closer to the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower and to enjoy the unfolding drama. Strongly suspects you of killing the three Tianhuan Pavilion disciples and has developed a keen interest in you.]
Jiang Hao: “…”
Though Liu Xingchen’s interest was unsettling, it appeared he wasn’t an immediate threat.
His assurance that Jiang Hao could cultivate in peace was likely genuine.
Relieved, Jiang Hao finally felt he could focus on improving his strength.
A month after returning from the Demonic Cave, Han Ming came to visit.
“Senior Brother, we meet again,” Han Ming greeted with a cheerful smile.
“Junior Brother, is something the matter?” Jiang Hao asked, slightly surprised by Han Ming’s rapid progress in cultivation—he was already in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.
Han Ming grinned and said, “Have you forgotten? I mentioned wanting to spar with you. I’m ready now.
Would you prefer a private match or a public one?”
Jiang Hao recalled the conversation and said without hesitation, “Let’s do it privately.”
A private match would have minimal impact, no matter how it turned out.
“When shall we do it?” Han Ming asked.
“Tomorrow,” Jiang Hao replied after a brief moment of thought.
He planned to take some time today to prepare and figure out how to lose gracefully. He also needed to sell some talismans he’d made recently and buy a better talisman compendium.
He had already mastered the twelve talismans from his previous compendium. The remaining three—Cleanse, Strength, and Pain Relief talismans—were of limited utility.
For instance, Cleanse could be replaced with spiritual energy to clean clothes, Strength was rarely used even by Qi Refinement cultivators, and Pain Relief was costly to make and sold for little.
Having made a few of them, he saw little value in continuing.
“Great! I’ll come by tomorrow morning. How about we use the streamside as our venue?” Han Ming suggested.
Jiang Hao nodded, and Han Ming left with a hint of arrogance.
After tomorrow, Han Ming thought, he’d no longer need to concern himself with Jiang Hao—a mere defeated opponent wasn’t worth his attention.
Watching him leave with such disdain, Jiang Hao didn’t mind.
After tomorrow, this junior brother likely wouldn’t bother him again, which was fine for everyone.
“So, you plan to lose to him?”
A melodious yet cold voice suddenly rang out behind Jiang Hao.
Turning, he saw a red-clad woman standing in his courtyard, gazing at the Heavenly Fragrance Dao Flower.
Her profile was breathtakingly beautiful.
It was her again. Jiang Hao walked into the courtyard and bowed. “Greetings, Senior.”
Though he didn’t want to see her, every encounter reminded him of his own humanity.
The poison had indeed caused him immense suffering, but it had also helped him.
Thanks to it, he had remained calm and unaffected during his battle with the two Tianhuan Pavilion disciples—likely a benefit of the poison.
“You seem very averse to standing out,” Hong Yuye remarked as she turned her gaze to Jiang Hao.